Portable terminal apparatus with TV function and TV antenna with function as input pen

ABSTRACT

A portable terminal apparatus with TV function and a TV antenna with function as an input pen, in which the TV antenna is integrated with the input pen for the touch panel while ensuring sufficient sensitivity so that the internal space of the apparatus is effectively utilized, thus rendering the apparatus smaller and lighter. In the case of using a TV antenna with function as an input pen as an input pen, a mounting operation portion is pushed in a longitudinal direction with a fingertip for pushing it into the apparatus. Thereby, the hold state of the apparatus is released by a function of a latch switch, and the TV antenna with function as an input pen is pushed out to be pulled out of the apparatus. That is, the cellular phone has a configuration in which the TV antenna with function as an input pen cannot be pushed to be detached from the apparatus unless the user contracts a multistage antenna section and houses it completely in a pen body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable terminal apparatus with TV(television) program receiving function, and a TV antenna with functionas an input pen.

2. Description of the Related Art

There have been commercially available and popular portable terminalapparatuses with TV function, such as cellular phone with TV function,which displays a TV (television) image on the display and outputs voicefrom the speaker or the like whereby a user can watch a TV program.

As such portable terminal apparatuses are increasingly demanded tobecome further multifunctional, smaller and lighter, it is important touse internal space of the apparatus as effectively as possible.

In Japanese Patent Application laid open Nos. HEI7-336759 andHEI11-284419, there is disclosed a portable terminal with an inputfunction by an input pen. The portable terminal has a display capable ofreceiving an input from a touch panel, by using an antenna integratedwith a touch pen to render the terminal smaller and lighter.

However, there is the following problem in the case of providing anantenna integrated with an input pen for manual input as described aboveto the above-mentioned conventional portable terminal apparatuses withTV function.

Radio wave used for radio communication (900/1800, 1900 MHz in the caseof GSM; 2000 MHz in the case of W-CDMA; and 800 MHz in the case of CDMA)has a narrower frequency range and a higher frequency than that used forterrestrial TV broadcasting. Therefore, a TV receiving antenna (TVantenna) requires a larger volume than such a radio communicationantenna, which also causes the space required for storage to be larger.

Consequently, even if the radio communication antenna providedseparately from the TV antenna is servable as the input pen, the effecton the small size and light weight of the apparatus is reduced becausethe TV antenna is larger.

For this reason, and also for reducing radio wave radiation to the userduring the radio communication, a planar inverted F antenna is oftenused in the conventional portable terminal apparatuses with TV function.In this case, the radio communication antenna cannot be integrated withthe input pen due to its shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portableterminal apparatus with TV function and a TV antenna with function as aninput pen, in which the TV antenna is integrated with the input pen forthe touch panel while ensuring sufficient sensitivity so that theinternal space of the apparatus is effectively utilized, thus renderingthe apparatus smaller and lighter.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, to achievethe object mentioned above, there is provided a portable terminalapparatus with TV function comprising: a display/input section capableof displaying a TV image and receiving an input from a touch panel; acontroller for controlling the display/input section to display the TVimage thereon; and a TV receiving antenna formed of elastically combinedconductive materials and connected to the controller, wherein the TVreceiving antenna includes a TV antenna with function as an input penconfiguring at least a part of the TV receiving antenna and functioningas an input pen for providing input to the display/input section.

Preferably, the portable terminal apparatus with TV function furthercomprises a latch mechanism for supporting the TV antenna with functionas an input pen on the apparatus in such a manner that the TV antenna isdemountable from the apparatus by being pushed into the apparatus in alongitudinal direction when mounted on the apparatus. The TV antennawith function as an input pen is pushed into the apparatus bycontracting a portion formed of elastically combined conductivematerials and detachably mounted on the apparatus.

Preferably, when the TV antenna with function as an input pen is pushedinto and mounted on the apparatus, the latch mechanism locks the TVantenna to prevent it from coming off in the longitudinal direction, andreleases the lock when the TV antenna in the locked state is pushed intothe apparatus in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen is configuredto be extendable and contractible in the longitudinal direction thereof,and is mounted on the apparatus so that, while the TV antenna is mountedon the apparatus, a pushing portion of an operational member providedfor pushing the TV antenna into the apparatus in the longitudinaldirection of the TV antenna is exposed outside the apparatus and aportion of the TV antenna configured integrally with a contact inputportion contacted with the display/ input section to provide inputcannot be pushed into the apparatus.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen has a movementlock concavity provided for limiting longitudinal movement thereof bythe latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a sandwiching memberfor sandwiching and supporting the TV antenna with function as an inputpen with the movement lock concavity. When the TV antenna is in thelocked state, the sandwiching member is fixed in a state of sandwichingit from both sides in a direction substantially vertical to thelongitudinal direction of the TV antenna so as to lock the TV antennaand prevent it from coming off the apparatus.

Preferably, the latch mechanism releases the lock by opening thesandwiching member sandwiching the TV antenna with function as an inputpen from both sides to lock it when the TV antenna is pushed into theapparatus in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the latch mechanism is placed at a position to be pressed bythe contact input portion in the longitudinal direction of the TVantenna with function as an input pen when the TV antenna is pushed intothe apparatus, and has a push switch for opening and closing thesandwiching member at the position to be pressed.

Preferably, when the push switch is pushed to release the lock, thelatch mechanism ejects the TV antenna with function as an input pen tothe outside of the apparatus in the longitudinal direction in reactionto the push switch pushed back.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen is housedinside the apparatus so that, while the TV antenna is mounted on theapparatus, the portion configured integrally with the contact inputportion is exposed only in one direction incapable of being sandwichedand held in the direction vertical to the longitudinal direction of theTV antenna.

The TV antenna with function as an input pen may be housed inside theapparatus so that, while the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus, theportion configured integrally with the contact input portion is notexposed outside the apparatus.

The TV antenna with function as an input pen may also be housed insidethe apparatus so that, while the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus,only the pushing portion of the operational member provided for pushingthe TV antenna into the apparatus in the longitudinal direction of theTV antenna is exposed.

Preferably, the TV receiving antenna includes: a multistage antennasection of the TV antenna with function as an input pen; and anin-apparatus antenna section configured to be electrically conductivewith the multistage antenna section when the TV antenna with function asan input pen is mounted on the apparatus, and connected to thecontroller.

Preferably, while the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus, the TVantenna with function as an input pen is pushed into the apparatus onlyby contracting the multistage antenna section and housing it completelyinside TV antenna.

Preferably, the multistage antenna section is configured byconcentrically combining a plurality of cylindrical bodies. Thecylindrical body with the smallest radius in the concentric circles ismost distant from the contact input portion contacted with the display/input section to provide input while the multistage antenna section isextended and housed inside the TV antenna with function as an input penwhile the multistage antenna section is contracted.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen includes anextension preventing section for preventing extension of the multistageantenna section when the TV antenna with function as an input pen is notmounted on the apparatus.

Preferably, the extension preventing section is placed inside the mainbody of a pen corresponding to the cylindrical body portion of the TVantenna with function as an input pen for housing the multistage antennasection while the multistage antenna section is contracted, and locksthe slide movement of the thinnest cylindrical body of the multistageantenna section to lock the slide movement of all the cylindrical bodiesconfiguring the multistage antenna section.

Preferably, the extension preventing section is placed inside one of theplurality of cylindrical bodies configuring the multistage antennasection, and locks the slide movement of the thinnest cylindrical bodyof the multistage antenna section to lock the slide movement of thecylindrical body on the further end side compared to the cylindricalbody one step thinner than the cylindrical body having the extensionpreventing section placed therein.

Preferably, the extension preventing section is a plate spring chargedto have elastic resilience toward the center in the radial direction ofthe cylindrical body having the extension preventing section placedtherein, and, when subjected to no pressure from the outside, pressesthe edge against a fixing concavity provided to the thinnest cylindricalbody of the multistage antenna section by the resilience to lock theslide movement of the thinnest cylindrical body.

Preferably, the portable terminal apparatus with TV function furthercomprises a lock releasing section for, when the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen is mounted on the apparatus, releasing the lockof the slide movement by pressing the plate spring toward the outside inthe radial direction of the cylindrical body having the plate springplaced therein.

Preferably, the lock releasing section exerts pressure to release thelock by the plate spring in response to the insertion of the releasingend into the TV antenna with function as an input pen when the TVantenna is mounted on the apparatus, and releases the pressure inresponse to the pull-out of the releasing end from the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen when the TV antenna is pulled out of theapparatus.

Preferably, the lock releasing section is supported on the apparatus bya rotation axis further inside from the releasing end and the end otherthan the releasing end so that the support allows the lock releasingsection to rotate against the apparatus and charged by a spring to haveelastic resilience in such a direction that the releasing end moves awayfrom the TV antenna with function as an input pen. When the end otherthan the releasing end is pushed by the mounting of the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen on the apparatus, the releasing end presses theplate spring toward the outside in the radial direction of thecylindrical body to release the lock by the plate spring by rotationalmovement about the rotation axis. When the TV antenna with function asan input pen is pulled out of the apparatus, the releasing end rotates,due to the charge of the spring, about the rotation axis in such adirection that the releasing end moves away from the TV antenna so thatthe rotation causes the plate spring not to be pressed toward theoutside in the radial direction of the cylindrical body.

Preferably, the in-apparatus antenna section is a coil antenna or ameander antenna.

Preferably, the multistage antenna section has an optimal length forreceiving VHF when extended to the maximum, and has an optimal lengthfor receiving UHF when contracted to a predetermined length.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen has a bendablehinge freely rotatable with its central axis in the longitudinaldirection of the TV antenna at a position exposed outside the apparatuswhen the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus and completely extendedin the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the hinge is placed at a position to which the TV antennawith function as an input pen moves when extended and contracted.

Preferably, a portable terminal apparatus with TV function furthercomprises a mounting state detecting section for detecting whether ornot the TV antenna with function as an input pen is mounted on theapparatus, and the controller controls the display/input section todisplay a message for prompting adjustment of the reception stateaccording to the detection result obtained by the mounting statedetecting section when TV signal strength is lower than a predeterminedthreshold.

Preferably, the controller controls the display/input section to displaya message for prompting adjustment of the reception state when TV signalstrength is lower than a predetermined threshold.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen has theportion, which is configured integrally with the contact input portioncontacted with the display/input section to provide input, made ofinsulating material except for a contact portion for rendering theelastically combined conductive materials to function as the TVreceiving antenna.

In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a TV antenna with function as an input pen used for a portableterminal apparatus with a display/input section capable of displaying aTV image and receiving an input from a touch panel, comprising: acontact input portion contacted with the display/input section toprovide input; and a movement lock concavity by which the portableterminal apparatus detachably support the TV antenna with function as aninput pen.

Preferably, the movement lock concavity is provided to lock thelongitudinal movement of the TV antenna with function as an input pen sothat it does not come off the apparatus.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen includes anoperational member for allowing the TV antenna with function as an inputpen to be pushed into the apparatus when a portion formed of elasticallycombined conductive materials is contracted.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen furthercomprises a multistage antenna section formed of elastically combinedconductive materials, and the multistage antenna section is at least apart of the TV receiving antenna of the portable terminal apparatus.

Preferably, the multistage antenna section is configured byconcentrically combining a plurality of cylindrical bodies. Thecylindrical body with the smallest radius in the concentric circles ismost distant from the contact input portion while the multistage antennasection is extended and housed inside the TV antenna with function as aninput pen while the multistage antenna section is contracted.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen furthercomprises an extension preventing section for preventing extension ofthe multistage antenna section when TV antenna is not mounted on theapparatus.

Preferably, the extension preventing section is placed inside the mainbody of a pen corresponding to the cylindrical body portion of the TVantenna with function as an input pen for housing the multistage antennasection while the multistage antenna section is contracted, and locksthe slide movement of the thinnest cylindrical body of the multistageantenna section to lock the slide movement of all the cylindrical bodiesconfiguring the multistage antenna section.

The extension preventing section may be placed inside one of theplurality of cylindrical bodies configuring the multistage antennasection, and locks the slide movement of the thinnest cylindrical bodyof the multistage antenna section to lock the slide movement of thecylindrical body on the further end side compared to the cylindricalbody one step thinner than the cylindrical body having the extensionpreventing section placed therein.

Preferably, the extension preventing section is a plate spring chargedto have elastic resilience toward the center in the radial direction ofthe cylindrical body having the extension preventing section placedtherein, and, when subjected to no pressure from the outside, pressesthe edge against a fixing concavity provided to the thinnest cylindricalbody of the multistage antenna section by the resilience to lock theslide movement of the thinnest cylindrical body.

Preferably, a lock releasing opening is formed to insert in theapparatus the lock releasing section for, while the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen is mounted on the apparatus, pressing the platespring toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylindricalbody having the plate spring placed therein.

Preferably, the multistage antenna section has an optimal length forreceiving VHF when extended to the maximum, and has an optimal lengthfor receiving UHF when contracted to a predetermined length.

Preferably, the TV antenna with function as an input pen furthercomprises a bendable hinge freely rotatable with its central axis in thelongitudinal direction of the TV antenna at a position exposed outsidethe apparatus when the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus andcompletely extended.

Preferably, the hinge is placed at a position moving to the contactinput portion when the TV antenna with function as an input pen isexpanded and contracted.

As described above, in accordance with the present invention, the TVantenna is integrated with the input pen for the touch panel whileensuring sufficient sensitivity. Thus, the internal space of theapparatus is effectively utilized, which realizes the smaller andlighter apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of acellular phone according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 2 (b) is a front view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 2 (c) is a bottom view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 2 (d) is a right side view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of thecellular phone when a multistage antenna section thereof is extended;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of thecellular phone with a TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 beingpulled out of the cellular phone;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the TV antenna with function as an input pen2 and a mounting portion 181 when the multistage antenna section ishoused;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the TV antenna with function as an input pen2 is mounted on the mounting portion 181 when the multistage antennasection is extended;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cellularphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the TV antenna with function as an input pen2 functioning as a TV receiving antenna;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing surroundings of an antennaconnection terminal 23 a;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 2 being sandwiched and supported by a latch switch 182;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing the operation of the latch switch182;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation to extend the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2 for use as the TV receiving antenna;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the pushing operation to use the TV antennawith function as an input pen 2 as the input pen;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a example of the configuration of the TVantenna with function as an input pen 2 in which the antenna extendingand contracting operation convexity 24 is placed on a first node of amultistage antenna section 26;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of acellular phone according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 (a) is a plan view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 16 (b) is a front view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 16 (c) is a bottom view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 16 (d) is a right side view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the operation to extend a TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 3 for use as the TV receiving antenna;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the pushing operation to use the TV antennawith function as an input pen 3 as an input pen;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of acellular phone according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 (a) is a plan view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 20 (b) is a front view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 20 (c) is a bottom view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 20 (d) is a right side view of the cellular phone;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the operation to extend a TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 4 for use as the TV receiving antenna;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a TV antenna with function as an input pen5 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the action of an antenna fixing spring 58of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5;

FIG. 24 (a) is a diagram showing the operation of a lock releasingmember 183 to release the lock;

FIG. 24 (b) is a diagram showing the operation of the lock releasingmember 183 not to release the lock;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the action of an antenna fixing spring 68according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a TV antenna with function as an input pen6 in which only the first node of the multistage antenna section 26 isextended to use it as an input pen;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the movement and connection to a TVreceiving section 17 of the multistage antenna section of a cellularphone according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 7 of the sixth embodiment is mounted on the mounting portion 181 anda sectional view thereof;

FIG. 29 is a partially enlarged view showing a hinge 79;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance ofthe cellular phone when a multistage antenna section thereof isextended;

FIG. 31 (a) is a diagram showing a mounting state detecting switch 184when the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 is mounted on themounting portion 181 according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 (b) is a diagram showing the mounting state detecting switch 184when the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 is not mounted onthe mounting portion 181 according to a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of operation for displaying anoperational message relating to TV antenna state; and

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing examples of the operational messagerelating to the TV antenna state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a description of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention will be given in detail. In the embodiments, aportable terminal apparatus with TV function and a TV antenna withfunction as an input pen of the present invention are applied to acellular phone.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, a cellular phone 1 comprises a display/input section11 for displaying various kinds of information and receiving an inputfrom a touch panel, an operation input section 12 used for various inputoperations by a user such as input with a four-way key according to ascreen display, a call speaker 13 a and a call microphone 14 a forconversation on the cellular phone 1, a speaker 13 b for hearing soundeven in a distant place as for example when receiving TV, and a terminalconnecting section 14 b for connecting an external microphone or anexternal speaker thereto. The cellular phone 1 is also provided with aTV antenna with function as an input pen 2 functioning as a TV receivingantenna and an input pen for the display/input section 11 detachablymounted thereon.

Here, the main body of the cellular phone 1 indicates a remainingportion (part of the cellular phone 1 other than the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2) after the TV antenna with function as aninput pen 2 is pulled out of the cellular phone 1.

The TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 functions as a part ofthe TV receiving antenna when extended while mounted on the main body asshown in FIG. 3, and also functions as the input pen for manual input bybeing pressed against the display/input section 11 when detached fromthe main body as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 (a) and 6 (a), the TV antenna with function as aninput pen 2 comprises an input end portion (contact input portion) 21 atthe tip contacted with the display/input section 11 for providing inputby pressure, an fixing portion (movement lock concavity) 22 forpreventing the TV antenna 2 from improperly falling off the main bodywhile it is used as the antenna, a pen body 23 for the user to hold itas the input pen by his/her hand, an antenna extending and contractingoperation convexity 24 provided on the pen body 23 as a convexity forfacilitating extension and contraction of the antenna, an antennaextending and contracting operation member (operational member) 25 forperforming extension and contraction operation such as stretching theantenna, and a multistage antenna section 26 for functioning as aWhip/Rod TV antenna when extended.

The input end portion 21 is contacted with the display/input section 11to press it when the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 isdetached from the main body to be used as the input pen. The input endportion 21 may be made of the same material as used for the fixingportion 22 and pen body 23.

On the antenna extending and contracting operation member 25 are formedan mounting operation portion (pushing portion) 25 a for pushing the TVantenna with function as an input pen 2 into the main body in alongitudinal direction of the TV antenna and an antenna extendingoperation projection 25 b for extending and contracting the antenna whenthe TV antenna is mounted on the main body.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cellularphone 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cellular phone 1 of this embodiment comprises,in addition to the above-mentioned components, a recognition section 15for recognizing input contents, a main controller 16 for controlling theentire cellular phone 1, a TV receiving section 17, a mounting portionantenna 18, a radio communication section 191 and a radio communicationantenna 192.

If the display/input section 11 detects a handwriting input operation tothe touch panel surface with a sensor using pressure, static electricityor the like, the recognition section 15 receives the detected inputinformation to identify structural characteristics of input characters,numbers, etc., and collates and associates them with the characters andnumbers registered in a character/number library in the cellular phone 1so as to add positional information on the touch panel provided by ahandwriting operation and interpret meaning of the handwriting inputoperation.

The TV receiving section 17 selects a channel and restores video andvoice signals from a TV signal received by the TV receiving antenna.

The TV receiving antenna of the cellular phone 1 is configured of themounting portion antenna 18 and the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 2 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. More specifically, the multistageantenna section 26 of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 isconnected to the mounting portion antenna 18 via an antenna connectionterminal 23 a and a mounting portion side connection terminal 181 awhile the TV antenna is inserted in the main body as shown in FIG. 9.Since the mounting portion antenna 18 is connected to the TV receivingsection 17, the mounting portion antenna 18 and the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2 function as the TV receiving antennas.

As shown in an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 9, when the TV antennawith function as an input pen 2 is mounted on the main body, theconnection between the multistage antenna section 26 and the mountingportion antenna 18 is such that the outer surface of the metallicmultistage antenna section 26 contacts an inner surface of the antennaconnection terminal 23 a, and that the antenna connection terminal 23 acontacts the mounting portion side connection terminal 181 a which is ametallic portion of a mounting portion 181.

The mounting portion antenna 18 connected to the mounting portion sideconnection terminal 181 a is connected to the TV receiving section 17 atthe opposite end as shown in FIG. 8 so that the multistage antennasection 26 and mounting portion antenna 18 are connected to the TVreceiving section 17 to function as the TV receiving antenna.

As shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (a), the mounting portion antenna 18 is acoil antenna wound around periphery of the mounting portion 181 to mountthe TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 on the main body. The sumof the lengths of the mounting portion antenna 18 and the multistageantenna section 26 of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2provides an optimal length for the TV receiving antenna to improvereceiving efficiency.

The proper length of the TV receiving antenna is different depending onvarious factors such as whether VHF (Very High Frequency) or UHF (UltraHigh Frequency) is received. The user fine-tunes the length by extendingor contracting the multistage antenna section 26. Thereby, the antennacan be adjusted to have the optimal length according to a radio wavereception state.

The user may adjust the antenna to have the optimal length by viewing aTV image displayed on the display/input section 11 or having thedisplay/input section 11 display an indicator for adjustment. Theoptimal length may be obtained according to various methods, theextension or contraction by the user being given as an example, such asa motor-operating or fixing method.

The multistage antenna section 26 is configured by concentricallycombining a plurality of metallic cylindrical bodies to be extendableand contractible. The antenna extending and contracting operation member25 is provided at the end of the cylindrical body with the smallestradius in the concentric circles. Besides, the outer surface of thecylindrical body with the largest radius in the concentric circlescontacts the inner surface of the antenna connection terminal 23 a asdescribed above.

The cylindrical bodies are contracted to be accommodated in the pen body23 corresponding to the cylindrical body portion of the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2.

The input end portion 21, the fixing portion 22, the pen body 23 and themounting portion 181 are made of insulating material such as plastic.More specifically, the portions configured integrally with the input endportion 21 of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 are made ofinsulating material except for the antenna connection terminal 23 a as acontact portion for making the mounting portion antenna 18 andmultistage antenna section 26 function as the TV receiving antennas.

It is thereby possible to prevent unnecessary static electricity frombeing brought into the main body from outside as much as possible whenthe TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 is inserted into the mainbody.

The TV receiving antenna and the radio communication antenna 192 forradio communication other than TV receiving such as a call on thecellular phone are separately provided. Thus, it is possible to securegood radio sensitivity as to both the radio communications through theantennas with different optimal lengths.

The radio communication section 191 performs radio transmission andreception of data via the radio communication antenna 192 under thecontrol of the main controller 16 so as to implement various knownfunctions of the cellular phone, such as a call function, a mailfunction and a data communication function.

When mounted on the main body, as shown in FIG. 10, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2 is sandwiched and fixed by a latch switch 182having a latch mechanism in the direction indicated by arrows (directionsubstantially vertical to the longitudinal direction of the TV antenna2).

As shown in FIG. 11, the latch switch 182 is configured to allow asandwiching member 182 b to switch between open state and closed statealternately each time a push switch 182 a provided at the center of thesurface on the sandwiching member 182 b side is pushed.

When the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 is inserted andpushed as far as possible into the main body and mounted thereon, theinput end portion 21 pushes the push switch 182 a of the latch switch182 in the open state. Therefore, the latch switch 182 is put in theclosed state, and the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 issandwiched by the sandwiching member 182 b at the fixing portion 22 inthe direction indicated by arrows as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the slidemovement of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 in thelongitudinal direction is limited, and it is supported against the mainbody so as not to fall off improperly even if various operations such asantenna extension are performed.

More specifically, the latch switch 182 is configured so that, if put inthe closed state as described above, the sandwiching member 182 b isfixed in a state of sandwiching and supporting the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2. Therefore, in the closed state, the TVantenna with function as an input pen 2 can be pushed into the main bodywhile it cannot be pulled out therefrom.

If the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 is pushed as far aspossible into the main body in the longitudinal direction whensandwiched and supported by the latch switch 182 and mounted on the mainbody, the input end portion 21 pushes the push switch 182 a of the latchswitch 182 in the closed state. Therefore, the latch switch 182 is putin the open state, and the lock by the sandwiching member 182 b at thefixing portion 22 is released. At the same time, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2 is ejected to the outside of the main body inthe longitudinal direction in reaction to the push switch 182 a pushedback. Therefore, at least a part of the TV antenna with function as aninput pen 2 pops out of the main body so that the user can easily pullout the TV antenna 2.

Next, a description will be given of the operation on the cellular phone1 of this embodiment to manipulate the TV antenna with function as aninput pen 2 for performing various operations, such as extending the TVreceiving antenna to watch TV and providing handwriting input with theinput pen.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case of using the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2 as the TV receiving antenna, the antennaextending operation projection 25 b is pulled up by applying force Fthereto with a fingernail in the direction indicated by arrow. Then, theantenna extending and contracting operation member 25 is held and slidso as to extend the multistage antenna section 26 housed in the pen body23.

Thus, the multistage antenna section 26 is extended and connected to themounting portion antenna 18 via the antenna connection terminal 23 a andmounting portion side connection terminal 181 a as described above.Further, the mounting portion antenna 18 is connected to the TVreceiving section 17, and a TV wave is electrically transmitted from theTV antenna with function as an input pen 2 and mounting portion antenna18 to the TV receiving section 17.

When the user performs necessary operation to view the TV image, and theTV image is displayed on the display/input section 11, the user canadjust the reception state by adjusting the length of the multistageantenna section 26 according to the display state.

In the case of using the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 asthe input pen, as shown in FIG. 13, the mounting operation portion 25 aexposed from the main body as the end portion of the TV antenna 2 in thelongitudinal direction is pushed with a fingertip in the directionindicated by arrow (direction to push the portion 25 a into the mainbody in the longitudinal direction) to release the hold state (state ofthe TV antenna 2 being locked by the sandwiching member 182 b) by thefunction of the latch switch 182. Thus, the TV antenna with function asan input pen 2 is pushed out and can be pulled out of the main body.

Here, in the portion configured integrally with the input end portion 21for pushing the latch switch 182, only the antenna extending andcontracting operation convexity 24 is exposed outside the main bodywhile the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 is mounted on themain body as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the antenna extending andcontracting operation convexity 24 is exposed only in one directionincapable of being sandwiched and held so that it cannot be pushed bynormal operation of the user.

Consequently, to take out the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2by pushing it in the direction indicated by arrow in FIG. 13 andreleasing the hold state by the latch switch 182 as described above, itis inevitable to push the mounting operation portion 25 a in thedirection to push it into the main body as normal operation of the user.

More specifically, the cellular phone of this embodiment has theconfiguration in which the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2cannot be pushed to be detached from the main body unless the usercontracts the multistage antenna section 26 and houses it completely inthe pen body 23.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2 can be prevented from being improperly pulledout when used as a part of the TV receiving antenna, and further,accommodate the multistage antenna section 26 when used as the input penfor the manual input.

With this configuration, while having entirely different functions ofthe TV receiving antenna and the input pen, the TV antenna with functionas an input pen 2 can be naturally switched between the two functions sothat the user can use both the functions in an optimal state.

In addition, since the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 hasentirely different functions of the TV receiving antenna and the inputpen as mentioned above, both the large-volume TV receiving antenna andthe input pen do not occupy space, which allows the space in the mainbody to be used effectively.

Further, while doubling as the TV receiving antenna and the input pen,the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 can be extended bypulling up the antenna extending operation projection 25 b when used asthe TV receiving antenna. Besides, the TV antenna with function as aninput pen 2 can be pulled out of the main body just by pushing it whenused as the input pen. Thus, it is possible to provide the cellularphone having the TV antenna with function as an input pen excellent inoperability.

In the aforementioned first embodiment, the antenna extending andcontracting operation convexity 24 is formed at the end of the antennaextending and contracting operation member 25 of the pen body 23 asshown in FIGS. 4, 5 (a) and 6 (a). However, the position of the antennaextending and contracting operation convexity 24 is not so limited, andit may be placed, for instance, at the end on the antenna extending andcontracting operation member 25 side of the first node (the thickestcylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section 26 on the pen body23 side as shown in FIG. 14.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the antenna extending and contractingoperation convexity 24 may be placed so as to be at the end on theantenna extending and contracting operation member 25 side even when thethickest first node of the multistage antenna section 26 is extended.

In this case, it is also possible to form the antenna extending andcontracting operation convexity 24 made of a resin at the end of thefirst node (the thickest cylindrical body) of the metallic multistageantenna section 26 on the antenna extending and contracting operationmember 25 side.

If the antenna extending and contracting operation convexity 24 isplaced at the first node (the thickest cylindrical body) of themultistage antenna section 26 on the pen body 23 side, the TV antennawith function as an input pen 2 can be used suitably as the input penfor the manual input even when the thickest first node of the multistageantenna section 26 is extended.

For this reason, even in the case where the length of the TV antennawith function as an input pen 2 has to be reduced because the main bodyis extremely miniaturized, it is possible to ensure a suitable length asthe input pen. Thus, the main body can be miniaturized, and theusability of the input pen can be improved.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.Differently from the first embodiment in which the antenna is extendedby catching the antenna extending operation projection 25 b with afingernail, etc., in the second embodiment, the antenna extending andcontracting operation member juts out of the main body.

The cellular phone of the second embodiment is basically similar inconfiguration to that of the first embodiment except for the peripheryof the antenna extending and contracting operation member, and the samedescription will not be repeated.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cellular phone of the second embodimenthas a configuration in which an antenna extending and contractingoperation member 35 of a TV antenna with function as an input pen 3 jutsout of the main body to be pulled up directly by pinching it withfingertips.

The TV antenna with function as an input pen 3 of the second embodimentalso has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment exceptthe omission of the antenna extending and contracting operationconvexity 24 and the periphery of the antenna extending and contractingoperation member 35. Therefore, like reference characters will refer tocorresponding portions, and the same description will not be repeated.

Next, a description will be given of the operations on manipulating theTV antenna with function as an input pen 3 for performing variousoperations, such as extending the TV receiving antenna to watch TV andproviding handwriting input with the input pen.

First, as shown in FIG. 17, in the case of using the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 3 as the TV receiving antenna, an antennaextending operation portion 35 b of the antenna extending andcontracting operation member 35 is directly pinched with fingertips topull up and slide it by applying force F in the direction indicated byarrow so as to extend the multistage antenna section 26 housed in thepen body 23.

In this manner, the multistage antenna section 26 is extended andthereby connected to the mounting portion antenna 18 via the antennaconnection terminal 23 a and mounting portion side connection terminal181 a as in the first embodiment. The mounting portion antenna 18 isalso connected to the TV receiving section 17, and a TV wave iselectrically transmitted from the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 3 and the mounting portion antenna 18 to the TV receiving section17.

When the user performs the necessary operation to view the TV image, andthe TV image is displayed on the display/input section 11, the user canadjust the reception state by adjusting the length of the multistageantenna section 26 according to the display state.

In the case of using the TV antenna with function as an input pen 3 asthe input pen, as shown in FIG. 18, the mounting operation portion 35 aas the end portion of the TV antenna 3 in the longitudinal direction ispushed with a fingertip in the direction indicated by arrow (directionto push the portion 35 a into the main body in the longitudinaldirection) to release the TV antenna 3 from the hold state (state ofbeing locked by the sandwiching member 182 b) by the function of thelatch switch 182 as in the first embodiment. Thus, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 3 is pushed out and can be pulled out of themain body.

Here, the portion making no movement against the input end portion 21for pushing the latch switch 182 by extension and contraction of theantenna is not exposed outside the main body while the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 3 is mounted on the main body. Therefore, totake out the TV antenna with function as an input pen 3 by pushing it inthe direction indicated by arrow in FIG. 18 to thereby release the holdstate by the latch switch 182 as described above, it is inevitable topush the mounting operation portion 25 a in the direction to push itinto the main body as a normal operation of the user.

In other words, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 3 cannot bepushed to be detached from the main body unless the user contracts themultistage antenna section 26 and houses it completely in the pen body23.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the TV antennawith function as an input pen 3 can be prevented from being improperlypulled out when used as a part of the TV receiving antenna, and further,accommodate the multistage antenna section 26 when used as the input penfor the manual input.

With this configuration, while having entirely different functions ofthe TV receiving antenna and the input pen, the TV antenna with functionas an input pen 3 can be naturally switched between the two functions sothat the user can use both the functions in an optimal state.

In addition, since the TV antenna with function as an input pen 3 hasentirely different functions of the TV receiving antenna and the inputpen as mentioned above, both the large-volume TV receiving antenna andthe input pen do not occupy space, which allows the space in the mainbody to be used effectively.

Further, while functioning as the TV receiving antenna and the inputpen, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 3 can be extended justby directly pinching and pulling up the antenna extending andcontracting operation member 35 with fingertips when used as the TVreceiving antenna. Besides, the TV antenna with function as an input pen2 can be pulled out of the main body just by pushing it when used as theinput pen. Thus, it is possible to provide the cellular phone having theTV antenna with function as an input pen excellent in operability.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.Differently from the first embodiment in which the antenna is extendedby catching the antenna extending operation projection 25 b with afingernail, etc., in the third embodiment, only the mounting operationportion as the upper part of the antenna extending and contractingoperation member juts out of the main body.

The cellular phone of the third embodiment is basically similar inconfiguration to that of the first embodiment except for the peripheryof the antenna extending and contracting operation member, and the samedescription will not be repeated.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the cellular phone of the third embodimenthas a configuration in which only an mounting operation portion 45 a asthe upper part of an antenna extending and contracting operation member45 of a TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 is exposed outsidethe main body while the TV antenna 4 is mounted on the main body.Consequently, the cellular phone has an appearance of few projectionsand concave and convexities.

The TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 of the second embodimentalso has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment exceptthe omission of the antenna extending and contracting operationconvexity 24 and the periphery of the antenna extending and contractingoperation member 45. Therefore, like reference characters will refer tocorresponding portions, and the same description will not be repeated.

Next, a description will be given of operations on manipulating the TVantenna with function as an input pen 4 for performing variousoperations, such as extending the TV receiving antenna to watch TV andproviding handwriting input with the input pen for the manual input.

In the case of using the TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 asthe TV receiving antenna, as shown in FIG. 21 (a), the mountingoperation portion 45 a of the antenna extending and contractingoperation member 45 is pushed with a fingertip in the directionindicated by arrow (direction to push the portion 45 a into the mainbody in the longitudinal direction). Force F is thereby applied to thelatch switch 182, as in the first embodiment, from the mountingoperation portion 45 a as the end portion of the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 4 in the longitudinal direction to release theTV antenna 4 from the hold state (state of being locked by thesandwiching member 182 b) by the function of the latch switch 182.Accordingly, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 is pushedout.

The antenna extending operation portion 45 b thus pushed out is directlypinched with fingertips as shown in FIG. 21 (b) to pull the TV antennawith function as an input pen 4 out of the main body, and the multistageantenna section 26 is extended as shown in FIG. 21 (c).

As shown in FIG. 21 (d), if the TV antenna with function as an input pen4 with the multistage antenna section 26 being extended is insertedagain into the main body and pushed in the direction indicated by arrow,the TV antenna 4 is mounted on the main body.

In this manner, when the TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 withthe multistage antenna section 26 being extended is mounted on the mainbody, the multistage antenna section 26 is connected to the mountingportion antenna 18 via the antenna connection terminal 23 a and themounting portion side connection terminal 181 a as in the firstembodiment. The mounting portion antenna 18 is also connected to the TVreceiving section 17, and a TV wave is electrically transmitted from theTV antenna with function as an input pen 4 and mounting portion antenna18 to the TV receiving section 17.

When the user performs the necessary operation to view the TV image, andthe TV image is displayed on the display/input section 11, the user canadjust the reception state by adjusting the length of the multistageantenna section 26 according to the display state.

In the case of using the TV antenna with function as an input pen as theinput pen, as described above in connection with FIGS. 21 (a) and 21(b), the TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 is pulled out of themain body, and thereby can be used as the input pen for the manualinput.

As described above, also in the third embodiment, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 4 is taken out by pushing the mountingoperation portion 45 a as the end portion of the TV antenna 4 in thelongitudinal direction with a fingertip, the TV antenna 4 cannot bepushed to be detached from the main body unless the user contracts themultistage antenna section 26 and houses it completely in the pen body23.

Consequently, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 can beprevented from being improperly pulled out when used as a part of the TVreceiving antenna, and further, accommodate the multistage antennasection 26 when used as the input pen for the manual input.

With this configuration, while having entirely different functions ofthe TV receiving antenna and the input pen, the TV antenna with functionas an input pen 4 can be naturally switched between the two functions sothat the user can use both the functions in an optimal state.

In addition, since the TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 hasentirely different functions of the TV receiving antenna and the inputpen as mentioned above, both the large-volume TV receiving antenna andthe input pen do not occupy space, which allows the space in the mainbody to be used effectively.

Furthermore, while functioning as the TV receiving antenna and the inputpen, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 4 can be pulled out ofthe main body just by pushing the mounting operation portion 45 a. Thus,it is possible to provide the cellular phone excellent in operabilityand having a neat appearance of few projections and concave andconvexities.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.Differently from the first and second embodiments in which themultistage antenna section can be freely extended when the TV antennawith function as an input pen is pulled out of the main body, in thefourth embodiment, it cannot be extended when the TV antenna is pulledout of the main body and used as the input pen.

Like reference characters will refer to the same portions as those inthe first embodiment, and the same description will not be repeated.

The cellular phone of the fourth embodiment has a lock releasing opening57 formed on a side of a TV antenna with function as an input pen 5 asshown in FIG. 22.

As shown in FIG. 23, an antenna fixing spring 58 for locking the slidemovement of an endmost node (the thinnest cylindrical body) of themultistage antenna section 26 is placed in the portion for housing themultistage antenna section 26 inside the pen body 23.

The antenna fixing spring 58 is a plate spring placed on the innersurface of the pen body 23 and charged (energized; reserving theresilience) to have elastic resilience toward the center side in theradial direction inside the cylindrical body. Due to this energization,the end portion of the antenna fixing spring 58 is pressed and pushedagainst a fixing concavity formed near the deepest part of the endmostnode (the thinnest cylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section26 while the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5 is detached fromthe main body.

Thus, the slide movement of the endmost node of the multistage antennasection 26 is locked so that the user can not extend the multistageantenna section 26.

When the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5 is mounted on themain body, the antenna fixing spring 58 is pressed by a lock releasingmember 183 toward the outside in the radial direction of the pen body 23which has a cylindrical body concentric with the multistage antennasection 26. Thus, the end portion of the antenna fixing spring 58 comesoff the fixing concavity on the endmost node of the multistage antennasection 26 so as to release the lock.

Consequently, the user can freely extend the multistage antenna section26 while the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5 is mounted onthe main body.

As shown in FIG. 24, the lock releasing member 183 is rotatablysupported on the main body by a rotation axis 183 a, and charged(energized) by a spring 183 b to have elastic resilience in a directionto move centering on the rotation axis a portion inserted into the lockreleasing opening 57 (releasing end) away from the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 5.

Here, as shown in FIG. 24 (a), the rotation axis 183 a is placed furtherinside from the releasing end and the end other than it. Therefore,while the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5 is mounted on themain body, force F is exerted by the end portion of the TV antenna 5 tothe end other than the releasing end of the lock releasing member 183 inthe direction indicated by arrow in FIG. 24 (a). Force F rotates thelock releasing member 183 about the rotation axis 183 a, and therotational movement thereof moves the portion inserted into the lockreleasing opening 57 (releasing end) of the lock releasing member 183toward the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5. Thus, the portioninserted into the lock releasing opening 57 of the lock releasing member183 is inserted from the lock releasing opening 57. The inserted portionpresses the antenna fixing spring 58 toward the outside in the radialdirection of the inner pen body 23 which has a cylindrical body so as torelease the lock as described above.

The latch switch 182 is arranged to support the TV antenna with functionas an input pen 5 by sandwiching the fixing portion 22 with thesandwiching member 182 b on a plane not overlapping the plane moving dueto the rotation of the lock releasing member 183 while the TV antenna 5is mounted on the main body.

As shown in FIG. 24 (b), when the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 5 is pulled out of the main body, the portion inserted into the lockreleasing opening 57 of the lock releasing member 183 is pulled by thespring 183 b in the direction away from the TV antenna with function asan input pen 5. Thus, the inserted portion is pulled out of the lockreleasing opening 57, and lock is activated by the resilience of theantenna fixing spring 58. Also, the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 5 is smoothly pulled out.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the lock by theantenna fixing spring 58 is released and the multistage antenna section26 can be freely expanded and contracted by the user while the TVantenna with function as an input pen 5 is mounted on the main body. Onthe other hand, when the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5 ispulled out of the main body to be used as the input pen, the lock isactivated by the resilience of the antenna fixing spring 58 so that theuser cannot expand the multistage antenna section 26.

With this configuration, while having entirely different functions ofthe TV receiving antenna and the input pen, the user can use both thefunctions in an optimal state.

In addition, by limiting unnecessary expansion and contraction of the TVantenna with function as an input pen 5 used as the input pen, it ispossible to improve operability for the user and prevent damage or thelike due to unnecessary expansion.

Further, as in the first and second embodiments, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 5 cannot be pushed to be detached from the mainbody unless the user contracts the multistage antenna section 26 andhouses it completely in the pen body 23. Consequently, the TV antennawith function as an input pen 5 can be prevented from being improperlypulled out when used as a part of the TV receiving antenna.

For this reason, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 5 isprevented from being improperly pulled out or unnecessarily extendedwhen used as either the TV receiving antenna or the input pen. Thus, itis possible to provide an optimal state of use to the user whicheverfunction is used.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT

Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.Differently from the fourth embodiment in which the multistage antennasection cannot be extended at all when the TV antenna with function asan input pen is pulled out of the main body and used as the input pen,in the fifth embodiment, only one node of the TV antenna can be extendedwhen used as the input pen.

Like reference characters will refer to the same portions as those inthe first and forth embodiments, and the same description will not berepeated.

The cellular phone of the fifth embodiment has a lock releasing opening67 formed on a side of a TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 25, thelock releasing member 183 is inserted in the first node (the thickestcylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section 26 through the lockreleasing opening 67.

As shown in FIG. 25, an antenna fixing spring 68 for locking the slidemovement of the endmost node (the thinnest cylindrical body) of themultistage antenna section 26 is placed on the inner surface of thefirst node (the thickest cylindrical body) of the section 26.

The antenna fixing spring 68 is a plate spring charged (energized)toward the center side in the radial direction inside the first node(the thickest cylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section 26.Due to the energization of the plate spring, the end portion of theantenna fixing spring 68 is pressed and pushed against the fixingconcavity formed near the deepest portion of the endmost node (thethinnest cylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section 26 whilethe TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 is detached from the mainbody.

Thus, when the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 is taken outof the main body and used as the input pen, the slide movement of theendmost node of the multistage antenna section 26 is locked so that theuser can not extend the multistage antenna section 26 except the firstnode (the thickest cylindrical body).

That is, as shown in FIG. 26, the user can use the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 6 as the input pen by extending only the firstnode of the multistage antenna section 26 on the pen body 23 side andlock the extension of the other nodes.

As shown in FIG. 26, in the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6of this embodiment, the antenna extending and contracting operationconvexity 24 is placed at the end on the antenna extending andcontracting operation member 25 side of the first node (the thickestcylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section 26.

In this case, the antenna extending and contracting operation convexity24 may be made of a resin at the end of the first node (the thickestcylindrical body) of the metallic multistage antenna section 26 on theantenna extending and contracting operation member 25 side.

When the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 is mounted on themain body, the antenna fixing spring 68 is pressed by a lock releasingmember 183 toward the outside in the radial direction of the inner firstnode (the thickest cylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section26. Thus, the end portion of the antenna fixing spring 68 comes off thefixing concavity on the endmost node of the multistage antenna section26 so as to release the lock.

Consequently, the user can freely extend the multistage antenna section26 while the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 is mounted onthe main body.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the lock by theantenna fixing spring 68 is released and the multistage antenna section26 can be freely expanded and contracted by the user when the TV antennawith function as an input pen 6 is mounted on the main body. On theother hand, when the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 ispulled out of the main body and used as the input pen, the lock isactivated by the antenna fixing spring 68 so that the user cannot expandthe multistage antenna section 26 except the first node (the thickestcylindrical body).

Since the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 can be made usableas the input pen by extending the multistage antenna section 26 only bythe first node on the pen body 23 side. Therefore, even in the casewhere the length of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 hasto be reduced because the main body is extremely miniaturized, it ispossible to ensure a suitable length as the input pen. Thus, the mainbody can be miniaturized, and the usability of the input pen can beimproved.

With this configuration, while having entirely different functions ofthe TV receiving antenna and the input pen, the TV antenna with functionas an input pen 6 allows the user to use both the functions in anoptimal state as well as to adjust the length of the TV antenna 6 tosecure a suitable length as the input pen.

In addition, extension and contraction of the TV antenna with functionas an input pen 6 are limited only by the first node when it is used asthe input pen. Accordingly, by limiting unnecessary expansion andcontraction of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6, it ispossible to improve operability for the user and prevent damage or thelike due to unnecessary expansion.

Further, as in the first and second embodiments, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 6 cannot be pushed to be detached from the mainbody unless the user contracts the multistage antenna section 26 andhouses it completely in the pen body 23. Consequently, the TV antennawith function as an input pen 6 can be prevented from being improperlypulled out when used as a part of the TV receiving antenna.

That is, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 6 is preventedfrom being improperly pulled out or unnecessarily extended when used aseither the TV receiving antenna or the input pen. Thus, it is possibleto provide an optimal state of use to the user whichever function isused.

Incidentally, in the aforementioned fifth embodiment, the antenna fixingspring 68 is placed on the inner surface of the first node (the thickestcylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section 26. However,according to the present invention, the position of the antenna fixingspring 68 is not so limited, and it may be placed on the inner surfaceof another node (cylindrical body) of the plurality of cylindricalbodies configuring the multistage antenna section.

In this case, the slide movement of the cylindrical body on the furtherend side compared to the cylindrical body one step thinner than thecylindrical body having the antenna fixing spring 68 placed therein islocked.

SIXTH EMBODIMENT

Next, the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.The cellular phone of the sixth embodiment is basically similar inconfiguration to that of the first embodiment except for the presence ofa hinge for rendering the multistage antenna section of the TV antennawith function as an input pen freely rotatable against the main body.

Like reference characters will refer to the same portions as those inthe first embodiment, and the same description will not be repeated.

As shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, the cellular phone of the sixth embodimenthas a hinge 79 provided to a multistage antenna section 76 of a TVantenna with function as an input pen 7.

When the TV antenna with function as an input pen 7 is mounted on themain body and used as the TV antenna, the hinge 79 renders themultistage antenna section 76 freely rotatable withthree-degree-of-freedom in three-dimensional space to the extent of nothitting the main body as shown in FIG. 27.

Since the hinge 79 is thus provided, it is possible to improve thedegree of freedom of adjustment so that the user can easily adjust thereception state of the TV signal by the TV antenna.

The main body can be placed rather freely as the degree of freedom ofadjustment of the TV signal reception state is improved by the TVantenna with function as an input pen 7. Therefore, it is easer toadjust the reception state of the TV signal by angle adjustment of themultistage antenna section 76 even if, for example, the display/inputsection 11 is placed sideways as shown in FIG. 30.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the hinge 79 is provided in a portion ofthe multistage antenna section 76 exposed outside the main body when theantenna section 76 is extended. As shown in FIG. 29, the multistageantenna section 76 bends at a center 79 a of the hinge 79, and is joinedto the inside of the pen body 23 to be freely rotatable with the centralaxis in the longitudinal direction of the TV antenna with function as aninput pen 7. Therefore, the hinge 79 is also freely rotatable with thecentral axis in the longitudinal direction of the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 7.

Thus, the portion of the multistage antenna section 76 further on theend side compared to the hinge 79 is freely rotatable withthree-degree-of-freedom in three-dimensional space to the extent of nothitting the main body.

Besides, as in the first embodiment, the reception state can be adjustedby extending and contracting the multistage antenna section 76. In thecase of using the TV antenna with function as an input pen 7 as the TVantenna, it is possible to adjust the TV wave reception state byextending and contracting the antenna length as well as changing thedirection thereof.

The hinge 79 is configured by the conductive materials as with themultistage antenna section 76. Therefore, in the case of using the TVantenna with function as an input pen 7 as the TV antenna, as shown inFIGS. 27 and 28, the multistage antenna section 76 is connected to themounting portion antenna 18 via the antenna connection terminal 23 a andthe mounting portion side connection terminal 181 a as in the firstembodiment. Since the mounting portion antenna 18 is connected to the TVreceiving section 17, the mounting portion antenna 18 and the TV antennawith function as an input pen 7 function as the TV receiving antennas.

In the case where the user uses the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 7 as the input pen, as in the first embodiment, the mountingoperation portion 25 a is pushed with a fingertip in the direction topush it into the main body in the longitudinal direction of the TVantenna 7 while the multistage antenna section 76 is contracted.Thereby, the TV antenna with function as an input pen 7 is released fromthe hold state (state of being locked by the sandwiching member 182 b)by the function of the latch switch 182 and pulled out of the main body.

Here, it is assumed that the user tries to pull the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 7 out of the main body by pushing the benthinge 79 into the main body to release the hold state by the latchswitch 182. The hinge 79 is placed in a portion of the multistageantenna section 76 exposed outside the main body when it is extended asdescribed above. Therefore, even if the bent hinge 79 is pushed into themain body, the multistage antenna section 76 is contracted, and the holdstate by the latch switch 182 cannot be released.

For this reason, to release the hold state by the latch switch 182 andpull the TV antenna with function as an input pen 7 out of the main bodywhen the TV antenna 7 is mounted on the main body, it is necessary tocontract the multistage antenna section 76, house it completely insidethe pen body 23, and then, push the mounting operation portion 25 a intothe main body.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the reception state ofthe TV signal by the TV antenna with function as an input pen 7 can befreely adjust with three-degree-of-freedom in three-dimensional space tothe extent of not hitting the main body. It is thereby possible toimprove the degree of freedom of the placement of the main body as wellas the usability and operability for the user.

At the same time, as in the first embodiment, the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 7 can be prevented from being improperly pulledout by the latch switch 182 when used as the TV receiving antenna, andfurther, accommodate the multistage antenna section 26 when used as theinput pen for the manual input.

Thus, it is also possible to achieve the same effects as those describedpreviously for the first embodiment.

Incidentally, in the above-mentioned sixth embodiment, the hinge 79 isprovided at a root portion of the extended multistage antenna section 76exposed outside the main body when it is extended. However, the positionof the hinge 79 is not so limited, and may be placed at variouspositions according to the form of the main body so long as themultistage antenna section 76 can be rendered freely rotatable withthree-degree-of-freedom in three-dimensional space to improve the degreeof freedom of adjustment.

As in the first embodiment, the antenna extending and contractingoperation convexity 24 is not necessarily placed at the end of the penbody 23 on the antenna extending and contracting operation member 25side, but may also be placed at the end on the antenna extending andcontracting operation member 25 side of the first node (the thickestcylindrical body) of the multistage antenna section 76 on the pen body23 side.

In this case, when the user uses the TV antenna with function as aninput pen 7 as the input pen, the TV antenna 7 is pulled out of the mainbody as described above, and then the first node of the multistageantenna section 76 on the pen body 23 side is extended so as to use itwith the optimal length.

Thereby, even in the case where the length of the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 7 has to be reduced because the main body isextremely miniaturized, it is possible to ensure a suitable length asthe input pen. Thus, the main body can be miniaturized, and theusability of the input pen can be improved. Further an improvement isachieved in the degree of freedom of design.

Besides, in the above-mentioned sixth embodiment, the hinge is providedto the cellular phone of the first embodiment. However, the hinge may beprovided to the cellular phone of the respective second to fifthembodiments.

In the case of applying the hinge to the cellular phone of eachembodiment, the reception state of the TV signal by the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen can be freely adjusted withthree-degree-of-freedom in three-dimensional space to the extent of nothitting the main body. It is thereby possible to improve the degree offreedom of the placement of the main body. Thus, the usability andoperability for the user can be improved.

SEVENTH EMBODIMENT

Next, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.The cellular phone of the seventh embodiment is basically similar inconfiguration to that of the first embodiment except for the presence ofa mounting state detecting switch for detecting whether or not the TVantenna with function as an input pen is mounted on the main body.

Like reference characters will refer to the same portions as those inthe first embodiment, and the same description will not be repeated.

As shown in FIG. 31, the cellular phone of the seventh embodiment has amounting state detecting switch 184 provided in the vicinity of anejection opening on the periphery of the mounting portion 181. Themounting state detecting switch 184 detects whether or not the TVantenna with function as an input pen 2 is mounted on the mountingportion 181 of the main body.

The mounting state detecting switch 184 is configured such that aprojection for detection is inserted inward from the periphery of themounting portion 181. If the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2is inserted into the main body, it pushes up the projection fordetection toward the outside in the radial direction of the mountingportion 181 so that the insertion is detected according to the conditionof the projection for detection.

Next, referring to a flowchart of FIG. 32, a description will be givenof the operation of the cellular phone, when the user watches TV by thephone, to display a suitable operational message relating to TV antennastate based on the detection result obtained by the mounting statedetecting switch 184.

When starting the TV reception process, the main controller 16 detectsthe level of a TV signal transmitted through the TV receiving section 17(step S1). In the case where the strength of the detected TV signal isnot weak (higher than a preset threshold), the main controller 16 doesnot indicate a message as to “check the mounting state of the TV antennawith function as an input pen” but controls the display/ input section11 to display the TV image (step S2).

In the case where the TV signal level detected in step S1 is weak (lowerthan the preset threshold), the main controller 16 refers to thedetection result of the mounting state of the TV antenna with functionas an input pen 2 obtained by the mounting state detecting switch 184.

If the detection result is “mounted” (step S3; Yes), the main controller16 causes the display/input section 11 to display a message forprompting the user to check the reception state by the TV antenna, forexample, as shown in FIG. 33 (a).

If the detection result is “not mounted” (step S3; No), the maincontroller 16 causes the display/input section 11 to display a messagefor prompting the user to mount the TV antenna with function as an inputpen 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 33 (b).

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the mountingstate detecting switch 184 detects whether or not the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen is mounted. Therefore, it is feasible todisplay a suitable operational message relating to the TV antenna stateif the TV signal reception state is poor.

Consequently, it is possible to prompt the user to mount the TV antennawith function as an input pen when it is mounted or prompt him/her toadjust the reception state when it is mounted but the reception state ispoor.

Since, in the seventh embodiment, the cellular phone of the firstembodiment further includes the mounting state detecting switch 184, itis possible to achieve the same effects as those in the firstembodiment.

Incidentally, the message shown in FIG. 33 is given only as an exampleof the one displayed when the TV signal reception state is poor. Thecontents of the message may be varied according to its purpose.

In the seventh embodiment, the mounting state detecting switch 184 isplaced in the vicinity of the ejection opening on the periphery of themounting portion 181. However, the mounting state detecting switch 184may be placed at any position on the periphery of the mounting portion181 according to the purpose of the mounting state detection and thecontents of a display message.

The configuration for detecting the mounting state of the TV antennawith function as an input pen 2 is not limited to that of the mountingstate detecting switch 184 described above in connection with FIG. 31.Various configurations may be adopted so long as it is capable ofdetecting the mounting state, as, for example, a detection switch may beprovided to the latch switch 182 to detect the open and closed state.

With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably detect whetheror not the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 is mounted on themain body.

In addition, in the seventh embodiment, the mounting state detectingswitch is cited as an example of the means for detecting the mountingstate of the TV antenna with function as an input pen 2 and withoutlimitation. However, any means may be adopted if capable of detectingthe mounting state. For instance, the detection may be performed only bythe strength of the TV signal from the TV receiving section 17, and themain controller 16 may cause the display/input section 11 to display themessage for prompting the adjustment of the reception state if thestrength of the detected TV signal is lower than a predeterminedthreshold.

Further, in the seventh embodiment, the mounting state detecting switchwas provided to the cellular phone of the first embodiment. However, themounting state detecting switch may be provided to the cellular phone ofthe respective second to sixth embodiments.

In the case of applying the mounting state detecting switch to thecellular phone of each embodiment, it is possible to detect whether ornot the TV antenna with function as an input pen is mounted. Therefore,it is feasible to display a suitable operational message relating to theTV antenna state if the TV signal reception state is poor, prompt theuser to mount the TV antenna with function as an input pen if it is notmounted, and prompt him/her to adjust the reception state if it ismounted but the reception state is poor.

Incidentally, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention. The embodiments described above aresusceptible to various modifications and changes.

For example, in the above description, the input end portion 21, thefixing portion 22, the pen body 23 and the mounting portion 181 are madeof insulating material such as plastic. However, the insulating materialmay be an arbitrary material such as various resin materials ifinsulative.

Also, in the above description, the mounting portion antenna 18 and themultistage antenna section are configured by the conductive materials tofunction as the TV receiving antennas. The conductive materials may beany materials having conductivity, such as iron, copper, alloysincluding them and plated metals.

In the above description, the material of the input end portion 21 maybe the same material used for the fixing portion 22 and the pen body 23.The material may be any insulating material not damaging thedisplay/input section 11, such as a material less hard than thedisplay/input section 11 or a material rendered non-damaging to thedisplay/input section 11 by reducing its friction factor rather than itsdegree of hardness.

In the above description, the mounting portion antenna 18 is a coilantenna wound around the periphery of the mounting portion 181. However,the mounting portion antenna 18 may be of various forms if capable ofensuring an optimal length as the TV receiving antenna by beingconnected to the multistage antenna section 26 of the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen 2, such as a meander antenna.

In the case where it is possible to ensure the optimal length as the TVreceiving antenna only with a multistage antenna, the mounting portionantenna may be omitted.

According to the above-mentioned embodiments, the antenna extending andcontracting operation convexity 24 was placed at the end of the pen body23 on the antenna extending and contracting operation member 25 side orat the end on the antenna extending and contracting operation member 25side of the first node (the thickest cylindrical body) of the multistageantenna section 26 on the pen body 23 side. However, the antennaextending and contracting operation convexity 24 may be placed at anyposition according to the size and design of the main body.

Thereby, even in the case where the length of the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen has to be reduced because the main body isextremely miniaturized, it is possible to ensure the suitable length asthe input pen. Thus, the main body can be miniaturized, and theusability and design of the input pen can be improved, resulting in animprovement in the degree of freedom of design.

According to the above-mentioned embodiments, the proper length of theTV receiving antenna is adjusted by extending or contracting themultistage antenna section. However, the multistage antenna section mayalso be configured to have an optimal length for receiving VHF in thestate of being extended to the maximum and have an optimal length forreceiving UHF when contracted to a predetermined length.

The lock releasing member 183 may have an arbitrary configuration ifcapable of releasing the lock of the slide movement to the multistageantenna section 26 with the antenna fixing spring. For example, thereleasing end of the lock releasing member 183 may be electricallyinserted into the lock releasing opening to release the lock.

Additionally, the antenna fixing spring may be compressed toward theoutside in the radial direction of the cylindrical body by non-contactmeans such as an electromagnet to release the lock of the slidemovement.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the user can view and hear both theimages and sounds of TV programs. However, it is not so limited if TVprograms can be received. The present invention is applicable to thecase where only the sounds or images of TV programs are received.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by theembodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodimentswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A portable terminal apparatus with TV function, comprising: adisplay/input section capable of displaying a TV image and receiving aninput from a touch panel; a controller for controlling the display/inputsection to display the TV image thereon; and a TV receiving antennaformed of elastically combined conductive materials and connected to thecontroller, wherein: the TV receiving antenna includes a TV antenna withfunction as an input pen configuring at least a part of the TV receivingantenna and functioning as an input pen for providing input to thedisplay/ input section.
 2. The portable terminal apparatus with TVfunction according to claim 1, further comprising: a latch mechanism forsupporting the TV antenna with function as an input pen on the portableterminal apparatus with TV function in such a manner that the TV antennais demountable from the apparatus by being pushed into the apparatus ina longitudinal direction when mounted on the apparatus, wherein: the TVantenna with function as an input pen is pushed into the apparatus bycontracting a portion formed of elastically combined conductivematerials and detachably mounted on the apparatus.
 3. The portableterminal apparatus with TV function according to claim 2, wherein, whenthe TV antenna with function as an input pen is pushed into and mountedon the apparatus, the latch mechanism locks the TV antenna to prevent itfrom coming off in the longitudinal direction, and releases the lockwhen the TV antenna in the locked state is pushed into the apparatus inthe longitudinal direction thereof.
 4. The portable terminal apparatuswith TV function according to claim 1, wherein the TV antenna withfunction as an input pen is configured to be extendable and contractiblein the longitudinal direction thereof, and is mounted on the apparatusso that, while the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus, a pushingportion of an operational member provided for pushing the TV antennainto the apparatus in the longitudinal direction of the TV antenna isexposed outside the apparatus and a portion of the TV antenna configuredintegrally with a contact input portion contacted with the display/input section to provide input cannot be pushed into the apparatus. 5.The portable terminal apparatus with TV function according to claim 2,wherein: the TV antenna with function as an input pen has a movementlock concavity provided for limiting longitudinal movement thereof bythe latch mechanism; the latch mechanism includes a sandwiching memberfor sandwiching and supporting the TV antenna with function as an inputpen with the movement lock concavity; and when the TV antenna is in thelocked state, the sandwiching member is fixed in a state of sandwichingit from both sides in a direction substantially vertical to thelongitudinal direction of the TV antenna so as to lock the TV antennaand prevent it from coming off the apparatus.
 6. The portable terminalapparatus with TV function according to claim 5, wherein the latchmechanism releases the lock by opening the sandwiching membersandwiching the TV antenna with function as an input pen from both sidesto lock it when the TV antenna is pushed into the apparatus in thelongitudinal direction.
 7. The portable terminal apparatus with TVfunction according to claim 6, wherein the latch mechanism is placed ata position to be pressed by the contact input portion in thelongitudinal direction of the TV antenna with function as an input penwhen the TV antenna is pushed into the apparatus, and has a push switchfor opening and closing the sandwiching member at the position to bepressed.
 8. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function accordingto claim 7, wherein, when the push switch is pushed to release the lock,the latch mechanism ejects the TV antenna with function as an input pento the outside of the apparatus in the longitudinal direction inreaction to the push switch pushed back.
 9. The portable terminalapparatus with TV function according to claim 4, wherein the TV antennawith function as an input pen is housed inside the apparatus so that,while the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus, the portion configuredintegrally with the contact input portion is exposed only in onedirection incapable of being sandwiched and held in the directionvertical to the longitudinal direction of the TV antenna.
 10. Theportable terminal apparatus with TV function according to claim 4,wherein the TV antenna with function as an input pen is housed insidethe apparatus so that, while the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus,the portion configured integrally with the contact input portion is notexposed outside the apparatus.
 11. The portable terminal apparatus withTV function according to claim 4, wherein the TV antenna with functionas an input pen is housed inside the apparatus so that, while the TVantenna is mounted on the apparatus, only the pushing portion of theoperational member provided for pushing the TV antenna into theapparatus in the longitudinal direction of the TV antenna is exposed.12. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function according to claims1, wherein the TV receiving antenna includes: a multistage antennasection of the TV antenna with function as an input pen; and anin-apparatus antenna section configured to be electrically conductivewith the multistage antenna section when the TV antenna with function asan input pen is mounted on the apparatus, and connected to thecontroller.
 13. The portable terminal apparatus with TV functionaccording to claim 12, wherein, while the TV antenna is mounted on theapparatus, the TV antenna with function as an input pen is pushed intothe apparatus only by contracting the multistage antenna section andhousing it completely inside the TV antenna.
 14. The portable terminalapparatus with TV function according to claim 12, wherein: themultistage antenna section is configured by concentrically combining aplurality of cylindrical bodies; and the cylindrical body with thesmallest radius in the concentric circles is most distant from thecontact input portion contacted with the display/input section toprovide input while the multistage antenna section is extended andhoused inside the TV antenna with function as an input pen while themultistage antenna section is contracted.
 15. The portable terminalapparatus with TV function according to claim 14, wherein the TV antennawith function as an input pen includes an extension preventing sectionfor preventing extension of the multistage antenna section when the TVantenna with function as an input pen is not mounted on the apparatus.16. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function according to claim15, wherein the extension preventing section is placed inside the mainbody of a pen corresponding to the cylindrical body portion of the TVantenna with function as an input pen for housing the multistage antennasection while the multistage antenna section is contracted, and locksthe slide movement of the thinnest cylindrical body of the multistageantenna section to lock the slide movement of all the cylindrical bodiesconfiguring the multistage antenna section.
 17. The portable terminalapparatus with TV function according to claim 15, wherein the extensionpreventing section is placed inside one of the plurality of cylindricalbodies configuring the multistage antenna section, and locks the slidemovement of the thinnest cylindrical body of the multistage antennasection to lock the slide movement of the cylindrical body on thefurther end side compared to the cylindrical body one step thinner thanthe cylindrical body having the extension preventing section placedtherein.
 18. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function accordingto claim 16, wherein the extension preventing section is a plate springcharged to have elastic resilience toward the center in the radialdirection of the cylindrical body having the extension preventingsection placed therein, and, when subjected to no pressure from theoutside, presses the edge against a fixing concavity provided to thethinnest cylindrical body of the multistage antenna section by theresilience to lock the slide movement of the thinnest cylindrical body.19. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function according to claim18, further comprising a lock releasing section for, when the TV antennawith function as an input pen is mounted on the apparatus, releasing thelock of the slide movement by pressing the plate spring toward theoutside in the radial direction of the cylindrical body having the platespring placed therein.
 20. The portable terminal apparatus with TVfunction according to claim 19, wherein the lock releasing sectionexerts pressure to release the lock by the plate spring in response tothe insertion of the releasing end into the TV antenna with function asan input pen when the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus, andreleases the pressure in response to the pull-out of the releasing endfrom the TV antenna with function as an input pen when the TV antenna ispulled out of the apparatus.
 21. The portable terminal apparatus with TVfunction according to claim 20, wherein: the lock releasing section issupported on the apparatus by a rotation axis further inside from thereleasing end and the end other than the releasing end so that thesupport allows the lock releasing section to rotate against theapparatus, and charged by a spring to have elastic resilience in such adirection that the releasing end moves away from the TV antenna; whenthe end other than the releasing end is pushed by the mounting of the TVantenna with function as an input pen on the apparatus, the releasingend presses the plate spring toward the outside in the radial directionof the cylindrical body to release the lock by the plate spring byrotational movement about the rotation axis; and when the TV antennawith function as an input pen is pulled out of the apparatus, thereleasing end rotates, due to the charge of the spring, about therotation axis in such a direction that the releasing end moves away fromthe TV antenna so that the rotation causes the plate spring not to bepressed toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylindricalbody.
 22. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function according toclaim 12, wherein the in-apparatus antenna section is a coil antenna ora meander antenna.
 23. The portable terminal apparatus with TV functionaccording to claim 12, wherein the multistage antenna section has anoptimal length for receiving VHF when extended to the maximum, and hasan optimal length for receiving UHF when contracted to a predeterminedlength.
 24. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function accordingto claim 1, wherein the TV antenna with function as an input pen has abendable hinge freely rotatable with its central axis in thelongitudinal direction of the TV antenna at a position exposed outsidethe apparatus when the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus andcompletely extended in the longitudinal direction.
 25. The portableterminal apparatus with TV function according to claim 24, wherein thehinge is placed at a position to which the TV antenna with function asan input pen moves when extended and contracted.
 26. The portableterminal apparatus with TV function according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a mounting state detecting section for detecting whether ornot the TV antenna with function as an input pen is mounted on theapparatus, wherein: the controller controls the display/input section todisplay a message for prompting adjustment of the reception stateaccording to the detection result obtained by the mounting statedetecting section when TV signal strength is lower than a predeterminedthreshold.
 27. The portable terminal apparatus with TV functionaccording to claim 2, wherein the controller controls the display/inputsection to display a message for prompting adjustment of the receptionstate when TV signal strength is lower than a predetermined threshold.28. The portable terminal apparatus with TV function according to claim1, wherein the TV antenna with function as an input pen has the portion,which is configured integrally with the contact input portion contactedwith the display/input section to provide input, made of insulatingmaterial except for a contact portion for rendering the elasticallycombined conductive materials to function as the TV receiving antenna.29. A TV antenna with function as an input pen used for a portableterminal apparatus with a display/input section capable of displaying aTV image and receiving an input from a touch panel, comprising: acontact input portion contacted with the display/input section toprovide input; and a movement lock concavity by which the portableterminal apparatus detachably support the TV antenna with function as aninput pen.
 30. The TV antenna with function as an input pen according toclaim 29, wherein the movement lock concavity locks the longitudinalmovement of the TV antenna with function as an input pen so that it doesnot come off the apparatus.
 31. The TV antenna with function as an inputpen according to claim 29, including an operational member for allowingthe TV antenna with function as an input pen to be pushed into theapparatus when a portion formed of elastically combined conductivematerials is contracted.
 32. The TV antenna with function as an inputpen according to claim 29, further comprising: a multistage antennasection formed of elastically combined conductive materials, wherein:the multistage antenna section is at least a part of the TV receivingantenna of the portable terminal apparatus.
 33. The TV antenna withfunction as an input pen according to claim 32, wherein: the multistageantenna section is configured by concentrically combining a plurality ofcylindrical bodies; and the cylindrical body with the smallest radius inthe concentric circles is most distant from the contact input portionwhile the multistage antenna section is extended, and housed inside theTV antenna with function as an input pen while the multistage antennasection is contracted.
 34. The TV antenna with function as an input penaccording to claim 33, further comprising an extension preventingsection for preventing extension of the multistage antenna section whenTV antenna is not mounted on the apparatus.
 35. The TV antenna withfunction as an input pen according to claim 34, wherein the extensionpreventing section is placed inside the main body of a pen correspondingto the cylindrical body portion of the TV antenna with function as aninput pen for housing the multistage antenna section while themultistage antenna section is contracted, and locks the slide movementof the thinnest cylindrical body of the multistage antenna section tolock the slide movement of all the cylindrical bodies configuring themultistage antenna section.
 36. The TV antenna with function as an inputpen according to claim 34, wherein the extension preventing section isplaced inside one of the plurality of cylindrical bodies configuring themultistage antenna section, and locks the slide movement of the thinnestcylindrical body of the multistage antenna section to lock the slidemovement of the cylindrical body on the further end side compared to thecylindrical body one step thinner than the cylindrical body having theextension preventing section placed therein.
 37. The TV antenna withfunction as an input pen according to claim 35, wherein the extensionpreventing section is a plate spring charged to have elastic resiliencetoward the center in the radial direction of the cylindrical body havingthe extension preventing section placed therein, and, when subjected tono pressure from the outside, presses the edge against a fixingconcavity provided to the thinnest cylindrical body of the multistageantenna section by the resilience to lock the slide movement of thethinnest cylindrical body.
 38. The TV antenna with function as an inputpen according to claim 37, wherein a lock releasing opening is formed toinsert in the apparatus the lock releasing section for, while the TVantenna with function as an input pen is mounted on the apparatus,pressing the plate spring toward the outside in the radial direction ofthe cylindrical body having the plate spring placed therein.
 39. The TVantenna with function as an input pen according to claim 32, wherein themultistage antenna section has an optimal length for receiving VHF whenextended to the maximum, and has an optimal length for receiving UHFwhen contracted to a predetermined length.
 40. The TV antenna withfunction as an input pen according to claim 29, further comprising abendable hinge freely rotatable with its central axis in thelongitudinal direction of the TV antenna at a position exposed outsidethe apparatus when the TV antenna is mounted on the apparatus andcompletely extended.
 41. The TV antenna with function as an input penaccording to claim 40, wherein the hinge is placed at a position movingto the contact input portion when the TV antenna with function as aninput pen is expanded and contracted.